There are a number of tartans that have a longstanding relationship with the British Royal family. Most commonly worn by the Royal Household is The Royal Stewart tartan.

There are several variations of the Stewart tartan, all of which are thought to have originated from Royal Stewart tartan.

Recognisable the world over, the Royal Stewart tartan has a very distinctive pattern. It can be spotted on catwalks of high fashion shows and along your local high street.

We take a closer look at the history of one of the world's most beloved tartans and why it has become such an integral part of the heritage of the Royal family.

History of Royal Stewart Tartan

The tartan takes its name from the Royal House of Stewart, who trace their roots back to the 11th century and are the distant ancestors of the current Royal family, the Windsor family.

In the mid 18th century the Jacobite Rebellion nearly caused tartans to be discarded altogether. Tartan survived, largely through an enduring relationship with the British armed forces. They would use different patterns to distinguish between ranks and regiments.

The tartan is now the official tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and, officially speaking, may only be worn with the express permission of the Queen herself.

It has always been a tradition that anybody without a tartan of their own may wear the Black Watch (The Universal or Government Tartan) or the Hunting Stewart, but not the Royal Stewart without the express permission of the Queen, as we’ve previously stated.

In a decline of formal traditions and widespread commercialisation of this tartan, the rules have become blurred. It is not uncommon to see many people sporting variations on the Stewart tartan.

There is still one tartan that can only be worn with the Queen's permission and that is the Balmoral.

For many years now, the Royal Stewart has been a very popular tartan with celebrities and fashion designers. Vivienne Westwood is one of many designers who admires its striking pattern and versatility.

Adopted by the punk movement in the 1970s, London hotspots would see trousers and jackets made in Royal Stewart tartan.

There are a number of variations on the Royal Stewart tartan. We have put together a list of the Stewart tartans still worn by The Royal Family:

 

 

Stewart Hunting

Worn by The Queen during her leisure time, there is little known of this off duty tartan. Despite this, it is still very popular.

HM King George VI and HM Queen Elizabeth also wore this tartan.

Stewart Old

Similarly, when on holiday at Royal Deeside, The Queen has sported this less-worn tartan. This is an instantly recognisable tartan that traces its origins back to the Stewart clan from the Western Highlands.

Stewart Dress

This tartan is essentially just the Dress version of the Royal Stewart. It is a common procedure for dress tartans to exchange the key colours with white. This achieves a more formal look.

Female members of The Royal Family will often wear this tartan to black tie and evening occasions. Despite this, HRH Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince of Wales and HRH Prince Edward are all known to have worn it as well.

Why did Queen Elizabeth II choose the Royal Stewart Tartan

queen-elizabeth-II-royal-stewart-tartan

Many people think that the Royal family is able to pick what tartan they wear. More often than not, this is not the case.

The fact is that Queen Elizabeth didn’t actively choose the Royal Stewart tartan. Bound by certain traditions set by her ancestors, Her Majesty wears these tartans. Luckily for her, the tartan is attractive and easily distinguishable.

Tartan and The Royal Family find their histories intertwined, often down to their customs and traditions. The Queen is free to adopt a new set of tartans, however, the Royal Stewart has undeniably become an institution. Above all, the tartan is loved almost as much as the Royal family itself.

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